AMID being named Barisan Nasional’s (BN) candidate for the Kuang state seat in Selangor, Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican Habib Merican asserted that he sees no necessity to resign as Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) commissioner.
The Selayang UMNO chief questioned those making such calls and their claims that it could lead to political interference, according to news portal Free Malaysia Today.
He urged his critics to scrutinise his track record since he assumed the post at SUHAKAM last July for the 2022–2025 session.
According to Hasnal, the matter has been blown out of proportion since his appointment and he called on his critics to refer to Section 5(3) of the SUHAKAM Act 1999, which states that commission members must come from diverse religious, political and human rights experience backgrounds.
“Where have human rights issues been compromised because of my political position (as Selayang UMNO chief)? There should be evidence by now since I have a one-year record (at SUHAKAM).
“I am not a full-time politician. Instead, I have been a lawyer and advocate for the past 30 years (but) I have extensive experience in human rights issues,” he said.
“Why do (people) assume I was chosen because of my political affiliation? Why do (they) think I am not qualified to be there (at SUHAKAM) as a lawyer who has practised criminal and labour law for 30 years? Do not exclude qualified individuals just because you believe that SUHAKAM should function in the way you think it should,” he further added.
In July 2022, Hasnal was appointed as one of the SUHAKAM commissioners alongside Prof Noor Aziah Awal, former Malaysian Bar president Ragunath Kesavan, Datuk Nordin Ibrahim, Dr Chew Chee Ming, Datuk Mariati Robert and Nazira Abdul Rahim.
Addressing Hasnal’s appointment in the past, Ragunath stated that his political background should not hinder his participation in SUHAKAM.
Moreover, various parties recently including former SUHAKAM commissioner Jerald Joseph, urged Hasnal to resign following his announcement as BN’s Kuang candidate stating it was important the office remain free from politics.
A coalition of civil society organisations known as the CSO Platform for Reform also called on Hasnal to step down from his SUHAKAM post saying “the potential for conflicts of interest raises further concern”.
They expressed apprehension that such conflicts could compromise SUHAKAM’s functions, particularly its primary duty of safeguarding the principles of accountability and upholding human rights.
Furthermore, Hasnal noted that he would step down from his post only if he emerged victorious in the upcoming state election as he is of the opinion that it would be challenging to balance his legal practise and commission duties simultaneously.
Should he win, Hasnal explained that he intends to adhere to the appropriate procedure by submitting a resignation letter to the government and seeking the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah. – July 28, 2023
Main photo credit: Sumberkini
